A murder mystery can be an evening around the kitchen table or a joint investigation on a city walk. Both formats can give you theories to discuss, but they require different preparations and suit different days. There are also many types of home games, so always read the terms for the product you are comparing. Here we go through the differences compared to Mysteriejakten's location-based outdoor mysteries, so that you can choose according to the group and not just by the word murder mystery.
The mysteries in this guide
In this guide
At home you have a shared workspace
A murder mystery designed to be played at home can let you collect material and reason around a table. You control the environment yourself and do not need to plan a walk. It can be a good choice if someone needs to sit down, if the weather is unsuitable, or if you want the activity to be part of a home evening.
The setups vary: some games are based on documents and evidence, others on roles or digital material. Therefore, check the number of participants, technology, playtime, and if someone needs to prepare the game. Do not assume that all home games work the same way or can be used multiple times.
Outdoors you also need to explore the location
In one of our city mysteries, real environments are used together with the story and the tasks in the booklet. You need to be in the right place, read what needs to be investigated, and work your way through according to the instructions. This gives the walk a common goal.
This is not a game that can be moved to the kitchen table by just reading the booklet. Gamla stan, Haga, Örebro centrum and Wadköping have their own stories and location-based setups. In the guide to city mysteries we explain how the environment, the paper, and the Archive on the mobile phone are connected.
Choose according to the whole group
Ask if everyone wants to and can be out walking, how they feel about reading and the murder theme, and if anyone has needs that affect the choice. An outdoor activity is not automatically right just because the group likes puzzles. In the same way, a home game needs to suit those who are going to participate, not just the one who buys it.
When you play together, it is important that everyone can follow the information. At a table, the material can be spread out. During a walk, you may need to take turns reading and make room for the group when you stop. For more such tips, see our beginner guide.
Distinguish between what is included and what you arrange yourself
With Mysteriejakten, you order a physical booklet for a specific location and also use the mobile phone with internet for the Archive. The delivery needs to arrive before you start. You play yourselves; no guide or game master follows the group.
Food, drinks, and travel are not included in our booklets. If you want to end with a meal, you plan it separately. For a home game, you similarly need to check what the manufacturer actually sends with and what preparations you are responsible for.
A simple way to decide
- Choose a home-adapted game if you want to gather the evening around a table and avoid planning an outdoor visit.
- Choose a city mystery if you want to combine an investigation with discovering real environments.
- Always check that the theme, the reading, and the practical requirements suit the whole group.
One does not have to be better than the other. They are different ways to socialize and puzzle. If a walk appeals to you, you can read how you prepare a murder mystery in Gamla stan or the comparison of our mysteries in Örebro before you choose a booklet.
If the mystery is going to be a gift, the Christmas gift guide for crime novel lovers can help you choose based on the recipient.
The mysteries in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Can Mystery Hunt’s city mysteries be played at home?
They are designed for the real-life location where the story takes place. The booklet and the Archive do not replace the exploration of the environment, so the format is not a typical home mystery.
What should we consider when comparing home and outdoor formats?
Consider the participants’ interests, the need for physical activity, the weather, the language, the materials, and how much planning you want to do. Check the current conditions for the game you are considering.
Is an outdoor mystery a dinner event?
No. Mystery Hunt includes the game. You arrange dinner, drinks, and any restaurant reservations separately if you wish to add them.
What do we need to order in advance for a city mystery?
You need the correct physical booklet for the location you plan to visit. When purchased online, it will be delivered to your home, so plan the delivery and bring a charged mobile phone with internet access for the Archive.
Is the outdoor mystery a documentary about a real murder?
No. Mystery Hunt’s murder cases are fictional and should not be confused with real crime history. The fact that the game uses a real city setting does not mean that the events in the story have actually occurred.
Can we move a location-based game to the kitchen table if the weather turns bad?
Not as a substitute for the exploration of the game location. If conditions are unsuitable, it is better to choose another day for the city mystery and a separate home or indoor alternative.
